It has been in the air for a while, but now it is really official. Melle and Merelbeke will merge into one large municipality. This was unanimously approved this evening during a special municipal meeting in both municipalities. The next assignment? Search for a suitable name.
The new merged municipality will have 37,000 inhabitants and the authorities are confident that services will also be close to the citizen in a larger merged municipality. “Joining forces offers opportunities. This way we can share our expertise and align best practices. We can then work cheaper, more accessible and more professionally. The big advantage is a larger and improved offering to the citizen,” it sounds unanimously. Both boards emphasize that it is about a common story and ambitions. “Grow bigger to stay small. Not everything should be centralised. Many residents are still known by name, and we want to keep it that way.”
Joining forces offers opportunities. This way we can share our expertise and align best practices. We can then work cheaper, more accessible and more professionally. The major advantage is a larger and improved offering to citizens
New name
The boards will also look for an external consultancy and communications agency to provide further guidance. However, the new name remains a matter of speculation. “We unfortunately have to disappoint the person who registered the domain name Mellebeke. It won’t be. We are looking for a name that reflects the identity of both municipalities.” The boards do not yet know how the search for a new name will proceed. That process is now being fully developed.
Tax reduction
Research agency EY previously identified the pros and cons of a merger and the added value for Melle and Merelbeke is clear. The debt takeover of more than 18 million euros is certainly one of them. A tax cut is therefore in the pipeline. In addition, the survey and participation moments among residents and employees showed that there is little resistance in both municipalities.
A second municipal council meeting will follow in December to make a final decision. In that case, the municipalities can join forces to continue as one municipality from January 1, 2025. After the decision in principle to merge, an intensive process now follows in which both municipalities consult, make preparations and inform their staff and residents about the next steps. Melle and Merelbeke must pass on their final decision to the Flemish Government by December 31 at the latest.
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